NASW PACE: Building Political Power & Pushing Back Against Harmful Agendas

What if the people shaping policies were guided by social work values? NASW-PACE exists to make that a reality. With harmful proposals gaining traction, including efforts to dismantle DEI, restrict access to care, and weaken the profession and social protections, the need for political action has never been clearer.

Founded in 1976, NASW’s Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) is a nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) that builds political power for social workers and helps elect social workers and leaders who share our values and our vision for a more just society. NASW-PACE empowers members to turn advocacy into action and extend their impact to influence policies. It’s how we protect what matters and shape what’s next by supporting candidates who understand and prioritize the needs of our communities. PACE gives our profession the tools to fight back against harmful agendas and push for lasting, systemic change.

“When we make endorsement and funding decisions, it’s about impact. We’re looking at who will champion the priorities that matter most to social workers and the people we serve,” says Dina Kastner, NASW Public Policy and Advocacy Manager. “Whether it’s mental health access, child welfare, student loan relief, or reproductive rights, we’re investing in candidates who will fight for our values.”

How PACE Works

PACE integrates social work values into the political process through several core strategies.

Endorsements

Each election cycle, chapter and national PACE committees endorse candidates from any party who support NASW’s priorities. These federal, state, and local candidates are vetted for their alignment with social work values. To NASW members and allies, these endorsements signal trust and help drive voter turnout. Rachel Boyer, Public Policy Associate at NASW says, “When we endorse, we’re looking for leaders who listen to social workers, who understand the realities our members face, and who are ready to champion the issues affecting our communities every day.” In 2024, NASW-PACE endorsed 167 [BR1.1]candidates for federal office, ranging from first-time challengers to long-standing allies. Over 86% of them won their races, a testament to the strategic value and effectiveness of PACE’s endorsement model. Many of those victories came in highly competitive districts, where it was important that social workers mobilized and voted.

Strategic Funding

NASW-PACE provides financial contributions to candidates based on their alignment with social work values, their influence in Congress, their support for NASW’s legislative priorities, and the competitiveness of their race. PACE often prioritizes social workers running for office or lawmakers who have championed NASW-backed initiatives. In 2024, NASW allocated its contribution budget to more than 35 candidates. NASW-PACE is funded exclusively by NASW members through voluntary contributions. Rachel emphasizes the importance of this member-driven model, saying, “Most of PACE’s support comes from that $10 donation at membership renewal. It’s grassroots, as members are literally investing in political power for the profession.”

Field Organizing

During major election years, PACE funds a team of field organizers in key battleground states and districts. These organizers work with NASW chapters and national to mobilize social workers, share voting information, and support safe and legal voting, especially in states with restrictive laws.

Campaign Relationships

PACE builds lasting relationships with candidates early in their careers through fundraisers, events, and ongoing engagement, strengthening NASW’s influence long after election season. “We’ve supported candidates early in their careers, and they remember that NASW was there at the beginning,” says Dina. “That relationship-building really matters down the line.”

Chapters & Governance

National PACE focuses on federal races while chapters endorse at the state and local levels. A Board of Trustees guides strategy and endorsements at the national level, and Chapter PACE Committees do this at the state and local levels.

Why It Matters in 2026 and Beyond

The stakes for social workers, and the communities we serve, have never been higher. Harmful initiatives and proposals being introduced aim to weaken public institutions, restrict DEI, and reverse progress on civil rights and healthcare. In this climate, social workers must remain active political participants and continue running for office. With advanced training in policy, ethics, and evidence-based decision-making, social workers are uniquely prepared to navigate complex scenarios in public office. Their education equips them to lead with empathy, accountability, and practical solutions.

PACE is a critical force for fighting back against harmful policy agendas by helping to put social workers and champions of social work values into political office. As the 2026 elections approach, PACE will continue supporting proven allies like U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten, Sylvia Garcia, and Brian Fitzpatrick, while also uplifting more social workers to run for office.

Championing Social Workers & Allies in Office

Getting more social workers and those who support our values elected means bringing the profession’s priorities directly into the halls of power. NASW-PACE is proud to have championed candidates who are social workers and hose who are aligned with social work concerns, helping them get elected. We’ve also developed great working relationships with these members and their staff, enabling us to work with them to bring forward policies that benefit social workers and their communities.

• Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03-D): A BSW-holder and strong ally, Scholten works closely with NASW and co-sponsored the Social Work Month Resolution, a critical step in promoting national recognition of the profession’s contributions.
• Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29-D): A social worker and BSW-holder as well, Garcia is the Chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus and a long-time legislative partner.
• Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01-R): A bipartisan champion, Fitzpatrick leads the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act to increase access to clinical social work services through Medicare.

2025 State and Local Highlights

Following November 2025’s elections, NASW chapters saw key victories through their PACE program, especially among social workers running for local office.

Massachusetts PACE:

Massachusetts endorsed only candidates who are social workers this cycle, with 5 state officials elected in November:

• Khrystian King: Worcester Vice-Mayor/City Council
• Marc McGovern: Cambridge City Council
• Sarah Neville: Chelsea School Committee
• Ellie Teixeira: Brockton City Council
• Sandra Centio: Brockton School Committee
• Barry Sanders: Taunton City Council

Michigan PACE:

In Michigan, where the chapter endorsed only candidates who are social workers this cycle, two first-time candidates won their municipal races:

• Clara Martinez: Lansing City Council
• Marie Gress: Milan City Council (also Co-Chair of NASW-Michigan’s Aging/Gerontology Workgroup)

Virginia PACE:

Virginia PACE endorsed general candidates who aligned with social workers, and celebrated major wins, demonstrating strong support for social work values across the Commonwealth. These include:

• Abagail Spanberger: Governor
• Ghazala Hashmi: Lieutenant Governor
• Jay Jones: Attorney General

Learn more or view NASW’s endorsements at www.socialworkers.org/PACE.

How You Can Get Involved

Protecting social work values and building political power takes all of us. Whether you want to support candidates or even run for office yourself, NASW PACE offers clear ways to turn your passion into action. Here's how you can get involved and make a real difference:

• Donate to PACE: Member contributions help elect candidates who champion social work priorities. Only NASW members can donate, which can be done at membership renewal or anytime online.
• Engage with Your Local PACE Committee: Many NASW chapters operate their own state-level political action committees.[BR3.1] By getting involved locally, you can help screen candidates, shape endorsements, and participate in the political process.
• Run for Office: Social workers bring a unique and needed perspective to policymaking. If you’re thinking about running for office, whether local, state, or federal, NASW wants to support you. “The more social workers we help elect, the more aligned our policy landscape becomes with our values, equity, justice, and care,” says Dina.
• Stay Active: Stay engaged year-round by meeting with your lawmakers, attending legislative hearings, organizing voter education events, and using your voice to advocate for just and equitable policies.

Social workers are a powerful force for equity and justice. NASW-PACE helps amplify that power by electing aligned leaders, supporting social workers running for office, and confronting harmful policy agendas. With collective action, we can protect the future of the profession and the communities we serve.